WELCOME TO
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend, to the death, your right to say it”
François-Marie Arouet ‘Voltaire’ (1694-1778)
IT ALWAYS intrigues me why people in the UK have a tendency to be destructive instead of constructive in their lives. Is it just a British trait to ‘criticise’ others? Wherever else I have visited on this planet, I find people are generally open, warm and willing to help others share in success. No clearer do I see this than when I visit the United States for the GCSAA and STMA shows. Groundsmen and
Superintendents over there get nothing but encouragement and enthusiasm to do well from others within the industry. It makes me feel proud to be part of it all.
The sooner we, on this side of the pond, adopt that attitude and shake off our negative manner, the better! Of
course
negative, or rather opposing, comment is all part of open discussion, and usually helps to form a balanced debate. The basis of a democratic society is that there is freedom of speech. But, if people declined to express their views because of a fear of unjustified criticism, then no one would offer any advice, or viewpoint, and little or no progress would be made in expanding the knowledge base of our industry. The Pitchcare message
board is a case in point. Our difficulty is how to provide a platform for discussion, debate and exchange of information while allowing a
completely open forum. An element of moderation needs to be incorporated alongside the right to remain anonymous - 25,000 plus ‘Questions and Answers’ would seem to
suggest that, in the main, we have got it right.
But, the annoyance comes when people, who are prepared to give their time freely to help others, run the risk of ridicule. Online there are many who are prepared to contribute their experience and knowledge to help others overcome a specific problem. In the process this improves the knowledge and understanding of all those who contribute. But there are the malicious few who use the message board as an opportunity to act in a nonsensical, and some would say childish, way. However, the vast majority use the website appropriately and, for most of the time, advice and information is exchanged correctly.
As an industry we try to set
exceptional standards and the majority of us carry out our work with great pride and dedication. We should all be able to speak freely about how we improve our surfaces, deal with staff and committees and, by the same token, explore and debate controversial issues in an adult fashion. Moving forward means having good
the PC team DAVE SALTMAN
Managing Director. Keeps disappearing off on, what he tells us are, vital overseas trips. In 2006 he went to the USA, Portugal, Denmark, Czech Republic, India and Ireland but none of us believe him when he says that Bratislava was for business purposes!
JOHN RICHARDS
Operations Director. Recently returned from another extended trip to Australia, looking in great shape and sporting a disgustingly healthy tan. No doubt Christmas pud and the great British weather will have put paid to that!
LAURENCE (WRITING) GALE
Editor. The intrepid reporter, who can talk the most discerning interviewee into submission. Continues to infuriate proof readers who are now threatening to go on strike. The flip side is that Laurencism’s are still in plentiful supply!
PETER BRITTON
Sales & Production. Christmas hasn’t been kind to Peter either. Appears to be ignoring Pitchcare staff requests to be our Sumo wrestling entry in the local charity Olympics. Apparently he refuses to wear a nappy! (Is there a suggestion here that I have put on weight?)
ELLIE TAIT
PR and Marketing Executive. Has continued her endeavours to plan Harrogate to the nth degree. Even went as the advance party to make sure that everything was where it was last year and preview all new watering holes. It would help if she shared this info with the team!
ALASTAIR BATTRICK
Web Monkey. Just announced that he’s going to be a Dad again. (wonder whether Naomi knows?) Clearly he isn’t as sultry at home as he is in his office. Did I say his office? Yes, that’s how we all feel at work -e
eggshells come to mind!
communication and, for those who have the knowledge others require, being able to pass it on freely without childish and unfounded retribution
If a point is worth airing
surely it must be worth backing, whether that is to agree or disagree. It was Voltaire that said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend, to the death, your right to say it”. That is why open debate is so absorbing. To this day we at Pitchcare, and many of those associated with the website, have been viewed with scepticism; often openly, and privately, criticised. But we remain thick skinned in the strong belief that this is our means of improving our industry. A growing community in excess of 23,000 people can’t be wrong. We have fought many battles, and no doubt there will be more. Each time we feel depressed and battered, we stand back up, brush ourself down and continue on. Life is too important to let the feeble slack jaws ruin it for us, and you.
Jealousy is a terrible
affliction which burns right at the soul of some people. It ruins their lives and, if you let them take a grip, it can ruin yours.
It is therefore gratifying to know that so many people are out there when you need them most. To all these people keep your heads held high, you do a great job!
DAVE SALTMAN Managing Director
DAN (1) HUGHES
Sales Manager (when did he get promoted?) Able to uplift the Lancashire gloom in the office (see Web monkey) with a series of witticisms all day long. Never phased when suppliers and, more to the point, couriers create problems outside of his control.
DAN (2) PARKES
Web Monkey’s Assistant -o
or ‘Mini
me’ as we prefer to call him. The office junior is fast coming out of his shell and has provided mild amusement to those outside of the power struggle between Dan 1 and ‘The Web Monkey’ who vie for his services!
CHRIS JOHNSON
Training Coordinator. Has added decorum and elegance to the office since her arrival, our very own Hyacinth Bucket -b
bless!
Swearing has been reduced to zero -s
shows that
respect is still alive and kicking in today’s society!
SHARON TAYLOR
Company Accountant. Declined her invitation this year to the Christmas party. She didn't agree with the MD’s final decision that bringing her favourite horse didn’t count on the employee / partner invitation. Would have looked out of place in the Comedy Store anyway. The horse I mean!
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